Dubbed 'the fastest road race in the world', the Ulster GP has been a staple of the motorcycle road racing scene since its first event in 1922. But the Dundrod event has been mired in uncertainty ever since. two years due to financial difficulties and the COVID-19 pandemic. Motorcycle road racing is back on the calendar in 2022. After two years of battling COVID-19 restrictions, the North West 200 will return on May 8, 2022 and the Isle of Man TT will return on the 28th. May 2022, and the Ulster Grand Prix which takes place in Northern Ireland remains in the dark.
Even before the pandemic wreaked havoc on road racing, Ulster GP was struggling to pay its bills. As a result, the organization reached an agreement to repay its £300 debt to creditors in 000. Unfortunately, this led to the winning drivers not receiving their promised prizes after the 2019 event.
To help the struggling organization regain its footing, former North West 200 event director Mervyn Whyte has joined forces with road racing legend Philip McCallen to form the Revival Racing Motorcycle Club. Thanks to the organisation's efforts, the Ulster GP is set to return to the Dundrod circuit in Northern Ireland for its 100th anniversary in 2022.
“We understand the unique appeal of the Ulster Grand Prix for drivers and fans, and we are delighted to bring the race back to this famous track,” said the Revival Racing Motorcycle Club in a press release. “It’s been a very uncertain time for the sport due to coronavirus and we can’t wait to hear the motos again this summer. »
In 2019, Isle of Man TT winner Peter Hickman lapped the Dundrod circuit with an average speed of 219,5 km/h on his Smiths Racing BMW. This speed has allowed the Ulster Grand Prix to be named the fastest road race in the world.
“For the fans and for the sport it’s great because, along with the Isle of Man TT and the North West 200, it’s one of the iconic road races with its own special place in the calendar,” explained Ulster GP winner Lee Johnson. “A hundred years is a milestone for any major sporting event and having the North West 200 back but not the 'Ulster' would have seemed a bit strange. »
However, with past financial problems, drivers including Peter Hickman and Lee Johnson are reluctant to commit at the moment. Only time will tell if top road racing talent will return to the Ulster GP grid, but the new series will communicate new details in the near future.
“We are indebted to the volunteers for their collaboration and hard work in organizing this famous race and celebrating its centenary,” concluded the press release from the Revival Racing Motorcycle Club, which recalls that details on the race week program will be announced soon.
